NA speaker for resolving problems of tobacco growers

ISLAMABAD (Staff Reporter): Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that Pakistan is an agricultural country and agriculture is the backbone of Pakistani economy. He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of farmers of District Swabi which called on him on Thursday. The participants of delegation apprised the speaker about the problems of tobacco growers of Swabi. They said that the tobacco crop is a big source of income for the people of area, however tobacco growers were facing great hardships in selling out their crops. They said that their crop is spoiled due to delay of purchase of the crop. The speaker directed the Chairman Tobacco Board and Secretary Commerce to take immediate steps to resolve the problems of tobacco growers and remove the hurdles being faced by them in selling their crops. He further said that the farmers are the assets of our country and concerned departments should take immediate steps to resolve their problems.

The speaker directed to constitute a Committee comprising of Major (r) Fida, Anwar Haq Dad and AttahUllah to discuss with farmers and give recommendations to resolve the problems of formers. Suggestions of the Committee will be forwarded to Tobacco Board and concerned quarters for implementation.

BoI chalks out plan to implement reforms agenda

ISLAMABAD (APP): The Board of Investment (BoI) has planned to start implementing government’s reforms agenda to improve efficiencies of the institution. Work has been started in different areas for achieving the targets of reforms agenda by enhancing the capacity of the institution for competitiveness, a senior official of BoI told APP here on Thursday. He said that under the plan, the BoI will further simplify registration system of new companies besides normalizing the documentation process of visas for foreign investors. He said that the Board will enhance its complaint management mechanism and develop feedback loops for improving capacity of system. He added new public awareness drive is being designed for business registration in all provinces. He said the board will establish an e-payment system for investors enabling them to have facility of online transactions by consolidating all payments.

He said that there is a plan for complete automation of property registration process including online verification of title search to making information publicly available under new system.

He said that the institute will present annual report on ease of doing business by October 31, 2018 for facilitation and providing conducive business environment in the country.

EZDMC establishes cell to ensure transparency

PESHAWAR (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC) has established monitoring cell to ensure transparency and accountability in the affairs of the company. The cell to work under the chairmanship of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), KP-EZDMC, Saeed Ahmad will investigate complaints related to sale/auction of plots, land encroachments and all estate management affairs including transfers, no objection certificates (NOCs) and bifurcation etc. It will also investigate complaints regarding processes, procurement procedures, quality of planning, execution, and completion of projects against approved costs and timelines. The purpose of the establishment of the cell is to reduce unwarranted practices and improve efficiency of the organization by creating a structure of professional integrity and accountability. Meanwhile, the CEO KP-EZDMC Saeed Ahmed has said that they believe that an ethical and professional approach is the core value of their organization.

He said professionalism and ethical values are evident in every interaction with their employees, investors, suppliers and other stakeholders. The monitoring cell will further strengthen our transparency and ethical integrity,” the CEO concluded.

Minister lauds role of SCCI in economic development

LAHORE (INP): Punjab Minister for Labour and Human Resource Ansar Majeed Khan has said that the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is playing pivotal role for the progress of economy. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government has a vision to further motivate business community for the welfare of labour class by restoring the trust of industrialists through its business friendly policies. The Minister Labour and Human Resource Ansar Majeed Khan stated this during his visit of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry. President Chamber Zahid Latif, Vice President Kh. Abid along with PTI leader Usman Dar were present on this occasion. The Chamber office bearers welcomed the minister and assured him their full support to boost the economy of the country. The minister also visited Quaid-e-Azam Workers Welfare Schools and Social Security Hospital Daska Road Sialkot.

Ansar Majeed Khan visited different sections of the schools including class rooms and inspected the standard of educational facilities being provided there to the children of labour community by Punjab Workers Welfare Board (PWWB). Minister Labour also enquired from the students about the educational facilities provided to them.

The Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure quality education and best possible facilities to the children of labour community.

The Principal Boys Schools Qadeer Ahmed and Shazia Dilnawaz of Girls Campus informed the Minister regarding the excessive number of students in the schools beyond its capacity and old furniture. The teachers demanded to start double shifts in both the campuses and provision of new furniture in the class rooms for the students.

The Minister Labour assured the teaching faculty to solve their problems at the earliest and ordered the concerned authorities to solve the pension issues of teachers, start tree-plantation campaign and improve the condition of play grounds of the schools.

Ansar Majeed Khan during his visit of Social Security Welfare Hospital Sialkot asked after the health of the patients being treated in emergency and different wards of the hospital and prayed for their early recovery. He issued orders to Medical Superintendent Hospital Dr. Muhammad Yousaf to provide best possible facilities to the patients including free medicines. He also checked the medicines stock and directed the concerned to provide all necessary life saving drugs to the patients without any delay.

The labour leaders from different worker unions including Mian Shahid, Niaz Ahmed Naji, Naseer ud Din Humayun and others also met the Minister Labour and HR and informed him about their grievances.

Ansar Majeed Khan said that PTI believes in safeguarding the rights of labour community and will take every possible step to solve their issues. Social Security Department, PWWB and Labour Welfare Department will be interlinked so as to solve the problems of registration, minimum wages and different grants of the labour community without any delay.